آنچه در ادامه می خوانید
– Introduce yourself?
– I am Farhad Borghei Zadeh, 47. I am married and have two offspring. I am a psychologist and consultant. At the same time, I am a student of this course of study and busy searching and translating, too.
– Tell about your past and family background?
– My parents were Baha’is and I was born in a Baha’i family, but due to my parents’ differences, we had family quarrels and problems. So, our family didn’t have enough coherence to participate at the programs of Baha’i organization. For instance, we went for a week, but we didn’t participate for two months.
At childhood, some courses called morality lessons were held on Friday mornings. I remember I couldn’t participate at those classes for several months. My father wasn’t motivated and sensitive with participating at those classes and didn’t encourage us to participate.
Generally speaking, my mother was more sensitive to participate, but it was coherent. Each quarrel caused us not to participate next week.
– What was being taught in those classes?
– The history of Bahaism, its origin, the events happened for the Baha’is and etc. The Baha’i community had books and periodicals for itself to teach. Chants were recited and ordered to be learnt by heart. Since I was 17-18 years of age, I felt history which was presented wasn’t coherent and original, in fact.
– What was the role of Bahaism in your life?
– I never considered religion seriously; that is, it wasn’t influential at all and didn’t make me think of it. My family intensified this carefree. I thought about studying and continuing my education.
At that time, Bahaism’s procedure was as follows: When people were 18 years of age, they must be registered as Baha’is formally; that is, they announced that their religion was Baha’i and it was written and signed. Since that time, I disagreed doing it. Family differences had caused us to be isolated and the organization not to be strict with us. So, my name wasn’t registered in the organization. They were always saying religion has an evolutionary procedure and now Bahaism is a more evolved figure than Islam.
When something becomes complete, it is supposed that it is located at higher direction, but I personally didn’t accept it. That is, when I was 17-18 years of age, I concluded that Bahaism [9] isn’t really a religion or evolved.
– What was wrong when you didn’t accept to be registered as Bahia’i formally?
-Yes, some problems happened. My mother expected me to be registered as Baha’i formally. She said: “All of our relatives have been registered as Baha’is. Why don’t you accept? “She didn’t want us to turn against religion. She was offended by me. However, we weren’t under pressure cos we weren’t so organizational.
– How were your relationships with relatives?
– I cut my relationship with Bahaism, in general since that time. Although I didn’t have any dependence on Bahaism or activities before. I really didn’t participate at their meetings even as much as a funeral assembly; because I wasn’t interested in participating. Bahaism wasn’t attractive for me because I didn’t find any deep and thought-provoking thing in it.
– Do you remember 19-day receptions?
– Yes, these receptions were religious and lasted one or two hours and were held in Baha’i houses. It wasn’t matter where it was held. It must just be hold in a big house. In the beginning and end of the reception, chants must be recited during which the Baha’i speech must be made. I didn’t listen and prefer to play with the kids.
– Did your wife have any problem with your being Baha’i when you wanted to get married?
– No, because I didn’t become Baha’i. When I wanted to get married in 32 years of age, I told her about my past. My wife’s family are Muslims and religious [10]. religious. When I explained this fact that I have been born in such family, I don’t believe in it at all, but no problem was arisen.
Source: Roshana, No. 80, spring 1398, pp. 38-39.
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